Doherty dragged home off the underside of the crossbar the only goal of the first half despite 12 shots on goal but, in the second period, any nerve-based shackles in front of goal were shaken off.

Corinthian club mate Davy Carson made it 2-0 with a fine reverse-stick finish before Doherty added the third from another corner. Drew Carlisle finished off a swift move to further kill the tie and Doherty completed the rout with another pair at corner-time.

His fourth was a peach, stopping the ball himself, ghosting past a couple of player and slotting home.

Scotland look the side to beat following their 5-1 thrashing of France – senior internationals Josh Cairns and Kenny Bain accounting for four of their tally. They meet on Sunday while Ireland play France on Saturday at 4pm in Coolnafranky.

On the women’s side, Ireland had a similarly impressive win over Wales with a 4-1 success.

Leinster skipper Anna O’Flanagan did much of the damage in a one-sided fixture, helping convert a 2-1 half-time lead into the final tally with Kates McKenna and McConnell also on the mark with Phoebe Richards getting the first half response.

Tomorrow’s opponents France were the other successful side on day one, beating Wales 2-0.